Ahead of a crowdfunding campaign, the Spanish company Vortex Bladeless is reaping publicity for a fascinating new concept for capturing wind energy. As the company name implies, their device would do away with the bladed turbine, instead using a flared tower alone to take advantage of oscillating wind turbulence. It’s said to be quieter, cheaper, and more efficient than conventional wind turbines — and safer for birds. But does it really have a chance to work?” [Rewire]
Ghana’s movie stars have joined workers in their demonstrations against power cuts, marching through the streets of the capital, Accra, to demand an end to the country’s ongoing energy crisis. “A march on Saturday in eastern Accra was spearheaded by Yvonne Nelson, an actress, model and beauty pageant contestant who helped popularize the hashtag #DumsorMustStop on Twitter and other social media applications.
Dumsor is a word in the local Twi language used for irregular power blackouts.” [The Guardian]
Natural gas is set to play major role in Michigan’s energy energy future with at least nine coal plants in the state set to close in the next decade. “Natural gas is the likely replacement as the primary source for generating energy in Michigan, experts say.
“The timing works to everyone’s advantage in that the recent discoveries in the Utica and Marcellus shales in Ohio and Pennsylvania are right in our back yard, making it easy for us to get low-cost natural gas here,” said Steve Kurmas, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy.” [Grand Haven Tribune]
